Linen Snob

New Designers Guild Bedding

2009-10-20T22:10:00.000-07:00

With the changing of the seasons, we too are indulging in our nesting instincts. This season we are featuring two new gorgeous looks from Designers Guild. Known for her use of color, Tricia Guild has cast her magic and created "Darly." This is a bold but elegant Winter floral pattern is the best print we have seen ALL year. For those who need a more subtle look. we are also introducing Giacosa, sophisticated neutrals in a dramatic fleur de lys print. Both introductions are stocked in Queen and King sizes. Come in and take a look at these displays in our store as well as the gorgeous decorative accessories that coordinate with them. If you would like to purchase these items on line, I have added the entire collection on our web site www.tabletopandhome.

Summer Savings!

2009-07-18T22:50:00.001-07:00

SUMMER CLEARANCE SALE

July 24th through August 7th

Come in and get great savings on overstocks and seasonal items.

The good stuff won't last long, so hurry!

In store select merchandise only. All sales final.

Wedding Registry Gifts

2009-06-14T08:13:00.000-07:00

As you head towards those lazy days of summer, we can't rest! We are entering into one of our busiest time of the year...wedding season. We are adding to our shelves timeless gifts for your special friends and family like this beautiful lemon branch nut bowl from Michael Aram. We stock a great variety of special items that are sure to last a lifetime. If you are planning your wedding, come visit our store to register with us. If you have a wedding to attend, we likely will have the perfect something for the happy couple to love for years ahead.

More Chinoiserie

2009-04-28T12:18:00.000-07:00

In keeping on a theme, we have also extended our Asian inspirations to the table. These large stylized flowers gracefully flow on branches with birds and squirrels and is appropriately named, "Tree of Life." We have layered rattan place mats with green and cream tableware. The finishing touch are the lovely paisley napkins that pull all the colors together. The large fern urns are simply gorgeous as a centerpiece, but could easily accessorize any room of the house.

Blue, White & Yellow

2009-04-15T19:30:00.000-07:00

Today, Angie and Katie just put the finishing touches on one of our new spring vignettes. This quick snapshot in the store shows the Asian inspired bedding and accessories we are featuring this season. I just love the detailed Juliska platters hung on this cheery yellow wall. The trellis patterned bedding from Lulu DK in a rich dark indigo color has been accented with the best embroidered decorative pillows. Check out the yellow boudoir...yep it is made out of rain slicker fabric.

The Way

2009-04-03T12:44:00.000-07:00

We have made a daring commitment to yellow this season. Bright, fresh, and fun; we are adding this color as the finishing touch to several of our new collections being introduced. These adorable little Fu Dog candles shown here could be the perfect addition to any room. We love to see them mixed with dark wood accessories. Pair this great color with either black and white or indigo and white linens to join in on the popular Chinoiserie trends. For those who live on the bold side, ask us to show you how these and other yellow accessories team up on our Palace Gold Gate table cloth. This will surely give your next dinner party the wow factor.

Basically White

2009-03-28T07:15:00.000-07:00

When we receive all the new spring introductions, we also cast our attention to our basic bedding introductions. Replacing darker looks with crisp lights makes everything look better and feel fresh. For this year in particular, we believe it is important to add a few new and affordable basics to your linen closet. We have layered on two new looks to our assortment. Shown here is an airy matelasse with a large over-under pattern. Made of 100% Egyptian cotton, we stock white, ivory and truffle colors in both queen and king coverlets and shams. We suggest teaming these items up with a new set of cool crisp sheets. Both of these items are classic in style as well as functionality and will last for many spring seasons. Mix them up with a splash of color or keep them pure and simple.

As the clouds are drifting away and the sun will soon come streaming in your bedroom window, come in and pick up a set (or two).

New Aluminum Serving Ware.

2009-03-24T14:16:00.000-07:00

We just unpacked the new spring shipment of Mariposa serving ware and it is blooming aluminum in the store! It is just so hard to decide which piece is the best. Because it is spring, we believe the new bamboo collection shown here is apropos. Sophisticated, yet functional, these two serving pieces should be the charming complement to enhance your alfresco meal. These hand crafted serving pieces exceed FDA requirements for food safety and are made of 100% recycled aluminum. They are perfect for outdoor entertaining because they hold a chill. Appetizers anyone?

Bling for Spring

2009-03-20T13:27:00.000-07:00

While we are still on the subject of spring; we have to mention some new napkin rings that have arrived in the store. Simple, yet stunning, we think if you can't afford the real deal you might has well have fun with the paste. Think how fabulous these would be for the engagement party or wedding table. Of course, you can find hundreds of different styles of napkins and place mats to coordinate with these little gems. Just look in our linen room at the store to see what strikes your fancy.

Papillon from Schlossberg

2009-03-17T09:49:00.000-07:00

New spring merchandise is arriving every day! The crazy winter weather has us longing for bright florals and lighter neutral palettes. We have found the perfect print to reflect our spring sentiments. This, oh so lovely, papillon pattern from Schlossberg of Switzerland is made of the lightest and finest of pima cottons. The detailed pattern of floral sprays and graceful butterflies is created from 12 detailed colored screens layered with precision, creating an almost photographic quality print. It is truely one of the most lovely patterns we have seen. It is available by special order now and will be stocked in the store in April. Let spring begin!

Finally I am ready to Blog

2009-03-14T08:06:00.000-07:00

It took us almost a year to get it together. Last year Christina Lynn merged with Table Top Shop. There was the closing of the original Christina Lynn Store: Half the merchandise was put in storage, a small selection of bed and bath linens was put in the Table Top Seattle store and the balance was sold in one of the best sales in the history of either Christina Lynn and Table Top Shop. Then we (the two stores as one) remodeled the original Bellevue Store at 1105 Bellevue Way. Finally in August 2008 we moved back into the beautiful new store and got back to business. It has been a lot of work, taken much more time than we anticipated, but we are here and we can focus on the things we love to do. We have the largest selection of fine bed, bath and table lines in the Seattle greater area.

Does Thread Count?

2008-04-03T12:18:00.000-07:00

A new customer of ours once asked, “How high a thread count do you carry?” I tried not to look down my nose at her and simply replied with a smile, “As high as you like.”

The point is, everyone is running around armed with the thread count question when they are purchasing sheets. It is very confusing to see our sheeting selection which ranges in price from $200.00 to $1,500 and compare it to some national chains who may offer a sheet set for $99.00. All of these touting high thread counts. How does one decide which may be the better value? It just goes to reason that an unbelievable price for a set of sheets probably is an unlikely value.

Thread count is not regulated by the government, so some companies have been inclined to embellish their thread count claims. Thread count is calculated by the amount of threads that are measured within a square inch of cloth. With our modern day technology, there is only a certain amount of single ply threads that fit in a square inch. Higher thread counts are most likely single threads with two ply being counted as two threads. Two ply sheeting is heavier than and many times not as comfortable to sleep in as lighter more absorbent sheets.

Thread count is only one part of the equation in determining what is right for you. How cotton has been processed, woven and finished is what really matters.

The most important factor in finding the perfect set of sheets for yourself is to put your hand on what you like best. Do you like cool crisp sheets? Try a percale weave. Do you like silky sheets? Perhaps a nice sateen weave is best for you. Don’t know which is which? Ask a qualified sales person who knows their products and can guide you properly. We happen to know several at our stores in Bellevue and Seattle.